A cam lock for cabinets, drawers, drug cabinets, credenzas, sliding doors, lockers, mail boxes and other door type applications is compact in size, fits an existing cam lock opening and provides electronic access via a keypad or other electronic access. Using batteries, such as AAA size batteries or smaller, the lock has electronics that release a lock turn knob or handle when the correct code is entered. Preferably a set of electronic contacts is included at an accessible position on the lock housing to allow both master access and power jumping with a common manager's implement, for situations of lost codes and/or battery failure. In a particular embodiment the lock is long, narrow and low in profile so as to fit on the margin of a steel or wood file cabinet, compatible with the cam lock opening already provided. The locks, NFC-enabled, can be used in securing delivery boxes to enable delivery access, when authorized.
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35. A cam lock configured to be disposed on a panel or door, the cam lock comprising:
a housing containing electronics and having an access terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user;
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock manually, the knob or handle moveable relative to the housing;
a cam lock cylinder shell extending from a rear side of the housing, the cam lock cylinder shell being externally threaded;
a rotatable core operatively coupled to the knob or handle and at least partially disposed within the cam lock cylinder shell;
a locking element operatively coupled to the rotatable core and disposed at an end of the rotatable core opposite the housing, wherein the locking element comprises a cam, a bolt, or a latch; and
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electric power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics;
wherein the electronics are configured to permit manual operation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code, the knob or handle being selectively operable to orient the locking element between a first position and a second position.
62. A cam lock configured to be retrofitted onto a cam lock cylinder shell, the cam lock cylinder shell and a locking element disposed on a door or panel and configured to receive and release a front-loaded plug, the cam lock comprising:
a housing containing electronics and having a terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user;
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock manually;
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electric power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics; and
a rotatable plug unit extending from a rear side of the housing and configured to extend into the cam lock cylinder shell and operatively couple to the locking element, the rotatable plug unit operatively coupled on a first end to the knob or handle, the rotatable plug unit including a retractable retainer clip configured to engage the cam lock cylinder shell;
wherein the electronics are configured to permit operation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code, the knob or handle being selectively operable to orient the locking element between a first position and a second position.
66. A cam lock assembly, comprising:
a cam lock cylinder shell extending through an opening in a door or panel into an interior of a furniture piece,
a locking element operatively mounted to the cam lock cylinder shell and disposed on in the interior of the furniture piece, the locking element comprising a cam, a bolt, or a latch;
a housing disposed on the exterior side of the door or panel, the housing containing electronics and having a terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user;
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock assembly manually;
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electric power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics; and
a rotatable plug unit extending from a rear side of the housing and operatively coupled on a first end to the knob or handle, the rotatable plug unit operatively coupled on a second end to the locking element, the second end being opposite the first end, at least a portion of the rotatable plug unit disposed in the cam lock cylinder shell;
wherein the electronics are configured to permit rotation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code; and
wherein the rotatable plug unit is releasably disposed in the cam lock cylinder shell.
1. An electronic cam lock device on a door, cabinet, panel or drawer in a cabinet or furniture that provides ingress and no egress without a mechanical key, comprising:
a compact housing containing electronics and having a terminal enabling entry of a code by a user, such code when properly entered causing the electronics to permit access by causing retraction of a slidable member within the housing, the housing being positioned on and affixed to a front side of a panel of said door or other structure of said cabinet or furniture to which the lock device is affixed,
a cam lock plug unit extending from a back side of the housing, adapted to fit into a standard cam lock cylinder shell,
said door, cabinet, panel or drawer having a standard cam lock cylinder shell extending therethrough, and said cam lock plug unit extending into and fitted into the standard cam lock cylinder shell,
the electronic cam lock device having a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock device manually without a mechanical key to rotate the cam lock plug unit within the cylinder shell when permitted by the electronics, and
the housing including a battery compartment containing one or more batteries connected for operating the electronics, and the housing being a self-contained, single housing comprising the sole housing and sole electronics of the cam lock device.
52. A cam lock configured to be retrofitted onto a cam lock cylinder shell, the cam lock cylinder shell and a locking element disposed on a door or panel and configured to receive and release a front-loaded plug, the cam lock comprising:
a housing containing electronics and having an access terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user;
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock manually;
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electric power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics; and
a rotatable plug unit extending from a rear side of the housing and configured to extend into the cam lock cylinder shell, the rotatable plug unit operatively coupled on a first end to the knob or handle;
the rotatable plug unit having a second end opposite the first end, the rotatable plug unit including a connector extending from the rotatable plug unit at the second end, the connector having a profile different than an adjacent profile of the rotatable plug unit and configured to operatively couple the rotatable plug unit to the locking element disposed on the cam lock cylinder shell upon insertion of the rotatable plug unit into the cam lock cylinder shell;
wherein the electronics are configured to permit operation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code, the knob or handle being selectively operable to orient the locking element between a first position and a second position.
46. A cam lock mounted to a panel or door of a furniture piece, wherein the cam lock is operable from an exterior side of, but not an interior side of, the panel or door, comprising:
a housing containing electronics and having an access terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user, wherein the housing is mounted to the exterior side of the door or panel,
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock manually, the knob or handle moveable relative to the housing;
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electrical power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics;
a rotatable core operatively coupled to the knob or handle and extending rearwardly from the housing through an opening in the door or panel;
a cam lock cylinder shell extending from a rear side of the housing through the opening in the door or panel, the rotatable core at least partially disposed within the cam lock cylinder shell;
a locking element operatively coupled to the rotatable core and disposed at an end of the rotatable core opposite the housing, on an interior side of the door or panel, the locking element comprising a cam, a bolt, or latch, the locking element disposed in an interior of the furniture piece; and
wherein the electronics are configured to permit operation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code, the knob or handle being selectively operable to orient the locking element between a first position and a second position.
51. A cam lock mounted to a panel or door, wherein the cam lock is operable from an exterior side of, but not an interior side of, the panel or door, comprising:
a housing containing electronics and having an access terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user, wherein the housing is mounted to the exterior side of the door or panel,
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock manually, the knob or handle moveable relative to the housing;
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electrical power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics;
a rotatable core operatively coupled to the knob or handle and extending rearwardly from the housing through an opening in the door or panel;
a cam lock cylinder shell extending from a rear side of the housing through the opening in the door or panel, the rotatable core at least partially disposed within the cam lock cylinder shell;
a locking element operatively coupled to the rotatable core and disposed at an end of the rotatable core opposite the housing, on an interior side of the door or panel, the locking element comprising a cam, a bolt, or latch; and
wherein the electronics are configured to permit operation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code, the knob or handle being selectively operable to orient the locking element between a first position and a second position;
the cam lock cylinder shell being externally threaded, wherein the housing is affixed to the door or panel in part by a nut disposed on the cam lock cylinder shell.
21. A cam lock mounted to a furniture piece, wherein the cam lock is operable from an exterior side of, but not an interior side of, the furniture piece, comprising:
a housing containing electronics and having an access terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user, wherein the housing is mounted to an exterior side of a door or panel of the furniture piece,
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock manually, the knob or handle moveable relative to the housing;
a rotatable core operatively coupled to the knob or handle and extending from a rear side of the housing through an opening in the door or panel;
a locking element operatively coupled to the rotatable core and disposed at an end of the rotatable core opposite the housing and in an interior of the furniture piece, wherein the locking element comprises a cam, a bolt, or a latch;
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electric power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics;
a pin selectively engageable with the rotatable core; and
an electric motor or actuator operatively coupled to the pin;
wherein the electronics located within the housing are configured to cause the electric motor or actuator to shift the position of the pin to permit manual operation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code, the knob or handle being selectively operable to orient the locking element between a first position and a second position;
wherein the housing is a self-contained, single housing comprising the sole housing and sole electronics of the cam lock.
34. A cam lock mounted to a panel or door, wherein the cam lock is operable from an exterior side of, but not an interior side of, the panel or door, comprising:
a housing containing electronics and having an access terminal for receipt of an access code provided by a user, wherein the housing is mounted to the exterior side of the door or panel,
a selectively operable knob or handle located on a front side of the housing for operating the cam lock manually, the knob or handle moveable relative to the housing;
a rotatable core operatively coupled to the knob or handle and extending from a rear side of the housing through an opening in the door or panel;
a locking element operatively coupled to the rotatable core and disposed at an end of the rotatable core opposite the housing, wherein the locking element comprises a cam, a bolt, or a latch;
a power terminal associated with the housing for receiving electric power, the power terminal in electrical connection with the electronics;
a pin selectively engageable with the rotatable core; and
an electric motor or actuator operatively coupled to the pin;
wherein the electronics located within the housing are configured to cause the electric motor or actuator to shift the position of the pin to permit manual operation of the knob or handle upon receipt of a predetermined access code, the knob or handle being selectively operable to orient the locking element between a first position and a second position; and
a cam lock cylinder shell extending rearwardly from the housing, the rotatable core at least partially disposed within the cam lock cylinder shell;
wherein the cam lock cylinder shell is externally threaded.
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This application is a division of application Ser. No. 14/252,503, filed Apr. 14, 2014, now abandoned, which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/945,695, filed Jul. 18, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,208,628, which was a continuation-in-part of two prior applications: Ser. No. 11/809,172, filed May 30, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,495,898, and Ser. No. 12/214,357, filed Jun. 17, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,490,443. Ser. No. 13/945,695 fully incorporated by reference all of the content of U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,495,898 and 8,490,443, which content is repeated and incorporated here. All content of application Ser. No. 13/945,695 is incorporated by reference here. Application Ser. No. 11/809,172 claimed benefit from provisional application No. 60/810,195, filed May 31, 2006.
This invention concerns locks for cabinets, lockers, drawers, access panels and similar situations. Specifically the invention embraces an electronic cam lock that fits standard cam lock openings.
Metal and wood file cabinets, desk and cabinet drawers, locker doors, access panels and doors, mail boxes, dispensers and other secure situations often utilize relatively simple lock mechanisms known as cam locks. Such cam locks may or may not involve a camming action. In some cases they move other mechanisms that are engaged with the door or drawer of the cabinet or engaged with other mechanisms that are linked to the door and drawer of the cabinet or multiple doors or drawers of the cabinet. In one of the simplest forms, a cam lock on a cabinet door typically fits in a ¾ inch diameter D-shaped or double D-shaped hole and, at the back side of the cam lock cylinder unit, has a metal blade or arm called a cam that rotates when the key is turned, from a position disengaged from surrounding cabinet hardware to a position of engagement in a slot or behind a ledge of the surrounding cabinet hardware. Other locks, such as those for desk drawers, commonly referred as cabinet locks, involve a camming type action as the key and plug are rotated. The rotation causes a cam or nipple to move a deadbolt linearly to a locking or unlocking position or in the case of a spring loaded latch or deadlatch the rotation causes the cam or nipple to move a latch or deadlatch to unlocking position and removing the key keeps the latch or deadlatch in the extended locked position.
Metal filing cabinets often utilize cam locks, or a variation known as a plunger type lock in which a spring loaded plunger/lock cylinder located in the top horizontal margin of the cabinet, when pushed in, will lock all drawers. The use of a key releases the spring plunger to return to the outward position and unlock the drawers.
Locker and cabinet locks have included electronic locking devices, some of which utilized keypads and some of which utilized IButtons or other ID or non-volatile memory devices which work on contact to release the lock. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,894,277, 5,886,644, 6,655,180 and 6,791,450. The disclosures of all of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.
There is a need for a relatively simple, easily used, reliable and compact electronic lock, preferably a keypad lock but optionally operable by an electronic key, or both, for situations in which typically cam, plunger and cabinet locks were employed, and capable of fitting in a standard opening or bore of a standard cam, plunger or cabinet lock cylinder in a cabinet, door, access panel, mail box, dispenser, etc. and alternatively capable of fitting in a standard shell of a standard cam, plunger or cabinet lock cylinder in a cabinet, door, access panel, mail box, dispenser, etc. This is an objective of the current invention described below.
The invention addresses these needs with a low profile and very compact electronic lock that, in one application, fits in the top one inch horizontal margin of a steel file cabinet (or a side vertical margin). The compact electronic locking device in one embodiment has a knob or handle that can rotate the cam lock cylinder plug when such manual rotation is permitted by the lock electronics. A keypad for entry of a code may be included, and if so, the code in preferred embodiments can be either permanently set to a reprogrammable code, or set in each case by a temporary user, who can then input the same code to lock and unlock the lock, this feature depending on circumstances and function desired.
In one preferred embodiment particularly adapted for a file cabinet, the locking device is less than one inch in height, about two inches in length for one form, about three to five inches for another form, and about ⅜ to ¾ inch in depth or more preferably no more than about ⅝ inch or less in depth, as to the housing of the device. A cam locking device of this size will fit unobtrusively on the surface of the horizontal top margin area of a steel file cabinet. The housing may contain several small battery cells, such as two AAA batteries, but preferably smaller batteries such as coin cell or button-type batteries for further reduction of housing size. From the back of the housing in one embodiment extends the cam lock cylinder unit of conventional cam lock size, and with a length to fit the application, i.e. the depth of material and configuration where mounted. The rear-extending cylinder unit may have an external thread, so that a nut or threaded ring is tightened down to firmly retain the cylinder and housing in place. In other embodiments a dummy plug can extend back from the housing unit, or simply a driver or spindle. Since the cam lock opening in the cabinet or door or panel will typically be the conventional D-shaped opening or double D-shaped opening, the housing is fixed in place against rotation by this configuration. However, another fastening location(s) may be included, such as a machine screw assembled from the back and through a hole in the drawer or panel, engaging in a threaded hole provided in the housing, or screw posts extending from the back of the housing. This threaded hole or screw post preferably is at an opposite end of the housing from the location of the cylinder and turning knob or handle. There may be more than one threaded hole or screw post depending on the mounting preferences. In an alternative configuration, the housing back can simply have a nipple that extends in a hole formed in the cabinet, drawer or door, or a hook-shaped element that extends from the back of the housing and engages firmly in the hole, particularly for relatively thin metal cabinets.
It is an important feature of the invention that the electronic cam lock device be compact and relatively simple, at least as to mechanical elements, and without any further electronics or housing required at the back side of the door or panel. Essentially the only element at the back side of the door, drawer or panel is the rear-extending cam lock cylinder unit itself, with attached cam positioned to engage with a ledge or slot or other hardware to retain the door(s) or panel locked. In some embodiments the rear-extending element is a dummy plug or driver. An alternative form of the lock still comprises a single housing but is positioned at the back side of the panel, drawer, etc., in a through-the-panel mounting with only the knob or handle and the access terminal or keypad extending through the panel.
In one preferred form, the invention is embodied in a cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer and includes a compact housing containing electronics and having a keypad or other terminal enabling entry of codes by a user, a cam cylinder unit or driver extending from a back side of the housing, in a standard cam lock size adapted to fit through a standard cam lock opening in a cabinet or door for extending therethrough, and with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics. A battery compartment in the housing, accessible from the front of the cabinet, contains one or more battery cells for operating the electronics.
In another preferred form, the invention is embodied in a cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer and includes a compact housing containing electronics and having a keypad or other terminal enabling entry of codes by a user, a plug of the cam, plunger or cabinet lock cylinder unit extending from a back side of the housing that matches the size and shape of the cam lock shell already mounted on the door, cabinet or drawer, and with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics. Again, a battery compartment in the housing, accessible from the front of the cabinet, contains one or more battery cells for operating the electronics.
In another preferred form, the invention is embodied in a cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer and includes a compact housing containing electronics and having a keypad or other terminal enabling entry of codes by a user, a special shaped driver unit extending from a back side of the housing that matches an opening on the plug of the cam cabinet or drawer, a lock shell already mounted on the door, and with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics. Again, a battery compartment in the housing, accessible from the front of the cabinet, contains one or more battery cells for operating the electronics.
In another preferred form, the invention is embodied in a cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer mountable from back of the door, cabinet or drawer such that only the user interface extends through the face of the door, cabinet or drawer and includes a compact housing containing electronics and having an electronic key receptacle and in some cases, a keypad for entry of codes by a user, a specially shaped driver unit extending from a back side of the housing that matches the end of a cam lock or cam lock plug of the typical mechanical lock for engaging with a strike or other locking bars, cams or apparatus, and with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics. A battery compartment in the housing, accessible from the back of the lock, contains one or more battery cells for operating the electronics.
In another preferred form, the invention is embodied in a cam lock for a door, cabinet or drawer mountable from back of the door, cabinet or drawer such that only the user interface extends through the face of the door, cabinet or drawer and includes a compact housing containing electronics and having an electronic key receptacle and an RF reader or wireless reader or IButton reader for entry of a code by a user, a specially shaped driver unit extending from a back side of the housing that matches the end of a cam lock or cam lock plug of the typical mechanical lock for engaging with a strike or other locking bars, cams or apparatus, and with a knob or handle on the housing for operating the cam lock manually when permitted by the electronics.
In another preferred form the lock devices are fitted with an RJ45 jack or wireless antenna for network connectivity and external power. The locks may be fitted for NFC communication.
It is therefore among the objects of the invention to improve over prior cam and cabinet locks, with an electronic cam lock that can be retrofitted to existing cam lock and cabinet lock openings in doors, drawers, access panels, mail boxes, dispensers, and other furniture that provides access and no egress without a mechanical key, as well as to provide an improved locking solution for new applications wherein the internal locking systems for locking multiple points are configured to receive a cam, plunger or cabinet lock. The device is relatively simple, compact and unobtrusive. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings.
At 22 is shown a recess or connection with a plurality of electrical contacts, preferably three as shown. This can be for several purposes, including providing “jump” power in the event of battery failure, and use of an electronic master key for entry of a master code by contact with this connection, when a key code to which the device is set has been forgotten or lost. As in U.S. Pat. No. 7,336,150, which is incorporated herein by reference, this set of contacts 22 can be connected to receive both jump power and a master code simultaneously (or either one, or both separately).
Batteries are contained within the housing 14. In the embodiment shown, a slide door 24 connects with the housing to close a battery compartment which may be, for example, for two AAA battery cells. The slide door 24 may be locked against sliding whenever the cam lock device is in the locked configuration, such as by a slide pin driven by turning of the cylinder plug. This prevents unauthorized removal of batteries or tampering with the interior of the electronic lock. The door 24 may be hinged rather than slidable, or secured by a screw, which can be a security screw. The unauthorized opening may also be prevented by incorporating a single or multi-point press-to-release lock that requires a special tool for opening the battery compartment.
In
The rotatable plug 28 of the cam lock cylinder unit 26 (
In a simple cam lock arrangement such as shown in
An alternative arrangement is to have the cam lock cylinder unit define two different positions in which its movement is blocked. In this case, two notches (not shown, but second notch similar to 55a in
Although the cam lock device 10 can be securely retained on a door front panel or metal file cabinet panel or other door, drawer or access panel using the threaded cam lock cylinder unit 26 with the tightened nut 42 and the registry provided by the D or double D-shaped cam lock cylinder and opening typical of cam locks (see flat 43 shown in
An important feature of the invention is that the keypad-operated electronic cam lock device 10 includes no housing or electronic components at the inside of a door or drawer or panel. The only structure of the lock device extending into the interior or back side of the panel on which attached is the cam lock cylinder unit 26 and, optionally, a threaded fastener or machine bolt 56. This makes the unit of the invention compatible with situations in which nearly all cam locks are used, since those simple prior art key-operated devices typically comprise a rotatable plug for receiving the mechanical key, a cam lock cylinder shell with a front face plate, and a tail on the plug which has the cam affixed to the tail. Access can be difficult at the inside of a cabinet, and the avoidance of any inner housing or electronics (such as included in the some of the locker locks disclosed in the patents referenced above) is an important feature.
Although a plunger type lock of the type often included on multiple-drawer file cabinets is not illustrated in the drawings, the invention applies to this type of lock as well. In that case the rotatable handle 12 on the lock unit 10 is replaced with a spring plunger unit with rotatable core, similar to a typical key-operated spring plunger unit such as the unit 60 shown in
As mentioned above, instead of a solenoid operating the blocking pin operating in the lock housing 14, a miniature motor can be used. Such miniature motors require very small current and can be used to implement the extension or retraction of the pin that blocks the handle 12 or other device from being manipulated. The term electromagnetically operated device includes a solenoid or miniature motor or other appropriate driving electric device.
As is known by those skilled in the art, the prior art current plugs 70, 75 can be removed from the cylinder shell 72. This can be done by access to the spring loaded wafer or retainer clip 81. Access to this spring loaded retention device is restricted as is well known in the art.
The exploded view of
The lock unit as shown in
Note also that although a keypad is shown in the preferred embodiment above, the lock can be operated by a keypad in combination with an electronic key (used at the contact connection 22), or the keypad can be eliminated in favor of an electronic key alone. The term electronic access device refers to either type of electronic access.
Also, the electronic lock housing 14 can be oriented vertically instead of horizontally, with keypad characters oriented 90° from what is shown. Further, the cam in the illustrated embodiment can be rotatable to various degrees to fit the application.
The lock 140 has a rotatable knob or handle 146 extending from the housing 142 (the handle could be a lever if required or desired). The lock 140 is preferably without a keypad but in other respects is preferably very similar to the lock shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,495,898. The lock unit 140 is very compact and if it has onboard batteries they can be small standard cells or coin cell type batteries. A status indicator light is shown at 148.
The lock is operated using a key device such as that shown in copending application Ser. No. 12/072,557, and related U.S. Pat. No. 7,336,150, and the disclosure of both are fully incorporated herein by reference. The key device preferably has batteries and makes contact with the electrical contacts 150 shown in the terminal 145 at the front side of the housing. The lock unit 140 can be without batteries; if it does have onboard batteries within the housing 142 (within the compartment 144 shown in
The lock unit 140 is extremely compact and can have dimensions of, for example, about two inches in width (the horizontal direction as seen in
Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 8,495,898 (incorporated by reference herein) regarding other applications of the electronic lock generally as shown in
The term cam lock as used in the claims is intended to refer to a cam lock or cabinet lock, or a plunger lock or switch lock or T handle lock or locks of similar application. Also, references to a knob or handle are to be taken as referring to any type of turning device provided to operate the cam lock manually. Further, reference to a panel of a door, cabinet or drawer is intended to refer to any access panel or a fixed panel from which an openable component is controlled, in situations where ingress is provided but not egress, as in office furniture.
It should also be understood that the manually-operated locks described above relative to all figures could instead be automatic, with electromagnetic operation to retract a latch or rotate a cam, such as a solenoid or miniature motor, both of which are referred to as an electromagnetic actuator.
The term driver, although used above to refer to the cross-section specific driver 183 in
The term “cylinder” or “cylinder unit” as used herein is intended to mean at least a collar extending part way back from the housing, not necessarily as deep as the driver within the cylinder or collar, the driver being within the collar and rotatable within the collar.
With the central control a manager connects to any one lock or all locks when desired, to update which “keys” or codes will have access, and even the times of permitted access if desired. Each lock can include a processor to receive the control signal and to set the lock's electronics to allow access by employees A, B, C and D but not employee E, for example. This is changeable at any time, instantly. The programming and electronics for this networking and control function are well within the ability of a person of ordinary skill in the art. A panel hole 231 is provided for the antenna 233. A single panel opening could be provided for all projecting elements, or one for the antenna, one for all keys and the terminal 145, and one for the knob, or other similar arrangements. Note that the antenna and/or direct network receptacle, as well as the line power connection 235, can be included on any of the embodiments described above.
The locks of the invention, having the antenna 233, can have internally, connected to the antenna, a near-field communication (NFC) device that can communicate with a hand-held wireless device in proximity to the lock, for accessing the lock and also for purposes of lock settings and audit of lock access events. This near-field signal can be triggered to be activated by a smartphone (with appropriate programming, a phone app) or other portable electronic device, held close to the lock. The lock security and accessing of the lock could work in several different ways; the interrogation can be made either by the hand-held device or by the lock (with the lock having access to a database). One way is that the smartphone or other device must first authenticate the user, which could be by fingerprint, face recognition, voice recognition or simply a PIN. This will improve security. Upon authentication the hand held device can send an operating code to the lock. If the lock unit is not line powered but powered by batteries the user may “wake up” the lock by pressing a key on the lock prior to sending the code. The authentication and its method can be in accordance with the individual app and its objectives. A NFC capable hand-held device can send a signal containing the access code to operate the lock with or without prior authentication of the user of the hand-held device.
In another embodiment where the standalone lock unit either does not have a database of authorized codes or is not connected to a network for updating its database of valid codes, on authenticating the user the phone or hand-held device will send out a code asking for the lock's ID. This will “wake up” the lock, the electronics of which have been on a standby mode when not used, so as not to draw power (waking the lock could also require pressing a key on the lock's terminal, especially where the lock is battery-powered). On receiving the lock ID, the phone can, over the Internet or over a local network if desired, send the data of the user and the lock desired to be accessed, using the data connection of the phone. A database, which can be remote, will then send back an allowance or rejection code to the phone regarding this request for access. On receiving an allowance code from the access control database, the phone via its programming will transmit an access code to the lock, causing the lock to open. This protocol can also be used for updating the database of the lock if it has one. For audit purposes, the lock can then send a verification code back to the phone, if the lock was actually accessed. This code will be transmitted via the phone to the access control database. A denial of access can also be transmitted to the access control database for audit purposes. If receiving a rejection code the phone app will inform the user that access was denied. In an NFC system a new employee, for example, not currently in the system, can have the employee's new code added to the system using the NFC device. The update can include whether the code is to be one-time access, permanent access, or limited access.
In a different operational protocol the lock can have an RFID reader that sends out an interrogating signal to a hand-held device or credential. Although such a credential could be a card containing an RFID tag, a smartphone can have a program or app that mimics an RFID tag transmitting an ID signal, or transmitting, receiving and calculating algorithms to authenticate the signal sent back by an RFID tag, in order to provide access. The sending of the code for access by the phone may be subject to prior user authentication as outlined above. In this case the access decision is provided by the lock electronics, rather than by the phone or other hand-held device, using database information as in the system described above.
Note that RFID and NFC are closely related wireless communication technologies, both used for a large number of applications including access control, asset and inventory tracking, etc. RFID was the precursor to NFC, and the range of frequency utilized in RFID has a frequency band in common with NFC. RFID involves unpowered tags capable of sending back a simple response to a reader, using the power of the reader's transmission. NFC operates at 13.56 MHZ and is an extension of HF RFID standards. NFC is capable of more complex two way communication interactions and is thus more versatile in that respect than RFID. NFC is limited to communication at close proximity, such as 5 cm or less. Also, only a single NFC tag can be scanned at one time by a reader, whereas many RFID tags can be scanned simultaneously. NFC is available in a great many mobile phones or smartphones.
The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
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